Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 224 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Mazda 626, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 137 | 61% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 6% |
| Air bags | 8 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 3% |
| Power train | 5 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 1% |
| Tires | 3 | 1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 1% |
| Suspension | 3 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA 626. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (PERRY FORD,
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA 626. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR WOULD DISAPPEAR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLU
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR IS PARKED, AND WON'T GO INTO GEAR. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA 626. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFA
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA 626. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR THAT EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WINDOWS WERE OPENED WHEN DRIVING IN ORDER TO AVOID THE STRO
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
AUTOMOBILE DEALER, LIBERTY PONTIAC GMC, 9028, E. INDEPENDENCE BLVD, MATHEWS, NC 28105, 704-708-8000. FINANCE COMPANY, AUTO CREDIT OF CHARLOTTE, 4410 INDEPENDENCE, CHARLOTTE, NC 28206, 704-569-9444. ACCOUNT#CH441545
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
WHILE COMMUTING, THE CAR STOPPED SHIFTING. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC--THEY FIXED A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID-- CAR WAS THEN SHIFTING HARD, TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP--THEY DIAGNOSED TWO PROBLEMS THAT CAUSED THE LEAK. THE T
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE, THE ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO W
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2000 Mazda 626. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TUR
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
Fix: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN RESERVOIR TANK CAPS ON THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WERE PRODUCED WITH A WORN OUT DIE AND LACK VENTILATION HOLES. AS A RESULT, THE PRESSURE IN THE RESERVOIR TANK CAN DROP GRADUALLY AS THE BRAKE PAD OR SHOE WEARS AND AMBIENT TEMPERATURE DROPS. ALSO,
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFICIENCY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RESERVOIR CAP AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY.
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 90 | excellent |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 224 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 137 of them (61%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.